RITCHIE: FARMLAND, HABITAT PROTECTION FUNDED

Central and Northern New York are home to a wealth of natural resources; which are not only used for recreation but also to drive the economy in our region.Now, the Conservation Partnership Program is making an investment in our area’s lands by providing nearly $150,000 in grants to not for profit organizations like the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust and others in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties.

“The public and private partnerships represented by these projects will help bring visitors to our region, protect our small family farms and provide long-term economic benefits to communities across Central and Northern New York,” Senator Ritchie said.

The Trust for Public Land found that every dollar of investment from New York’s Environmental Protection Fund generates seven dollars in additional economic benefits from tourism, reduced government costs and public health.

“The land trusts have a proven record of bringing private citizens and businesses together with public resources to invest in the future of some of Central and Northern New York’s most endangered and fragile habitats and open spaces,” Senator Ritchie said.“These investments will help guide land acquisition, ensure public access and provide assistance with membership development and fundraising.”

The grants include:

Indian River Lakes Conservancy

Redwood, Jefferson County

Continuing To Build For Sustainability: Outreach, Membership and Development - Project will support IRLC's work to build organizational capacity and financial resources necessary to ensure that this all-volunteer land trust becomes a strong, effective and sustainable organization that can continue to grow.

$15,000

Ontario Bays Initiative

Chaumont, Jefferson County

Policy Development & Implementation Related to Future Pursuit of Accreditation - Project will support Ontario Bay’s Initiative’s work to implement recommendations from a recent Land Trust Standards and Practices assessment in anticipation of accreditation in the next three years.

$6,500

St. Lawrence Land Trust

Canton, St. Lawrence County

Connecting Our Community: Building a Communication and Fundraising Plan - Project will enable SLLT to build an integrated communication and fundraising plan to more effectively communicate its mission, educate local landowners and communities in rural St. Lawrence County and raise additional financial support.

$12,000

Thousand Islands Land Trust

Clayton, Jefferson County

TILTreks & Talks Program Expansion and Enrichment - Project will support TILT's efforts to further develop its signature TILTreks & Talks outreach program in order to expand the land trust's educational and recreational opportunities for the community and to recruit additional financial support for the organization.

$12,000

Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust

Watertown, Jefferson County

Two-year grant will enable this accredited, 21-year old land trust with 6,815 acres under conservaton easement to hire a full-time Land Protection Manager who will oversee the land trust's rapidly growing farmland protection program, developed in partnership with Ft. Drum and the US Department of Defense.

$75,000

Indian River Lakes Conservancy

Redwood, Jefferson County

Conservation Management and Public Access Improvements - fee acquisition (548 acres) - Project will enable IRLC to develop conservation management plans for and make public access improvements to lands acquired in 2011 through the US Fish and Wildlife Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited.